Dec 23, 2025 FSA Grooming Report
CONDITIONS:
This morning temperatures are -2°C, snowing, with light winds.
Fernie has experienced several significant weather events in December, including periods of unusually high rainfall and strong winds from valley bottom to ridgetop at times. A highly variable freezing line during these story cycles have resulted in very shallow show below approximately 1,500m (think Graffiti Rock or Paige’s draw elevation). Of concern are elevated stream flows, with numerous open creeks, fast-moving water, and localized flooding present across the area coupled with severe windfall and numerous downed trees. While this has delayed our usual start up - conditions are improving and our team has been out working their magic over the past week to deliver the best riding possible. Expect variable conditions throughout.
Snowfall totals include 18cm new snow in the past 48 hours and 96 cm over the past 7 days, with total snowpack measuring approximately 160 cm at cabin elevation.
Today: Occasional snow during the morning. Cloudy with a diminishing chance of flurries and possible sunny breaks during the afternoon. Minor to low end light accumulation, possible 2 to 4 cm. High near -2.
Tonight: Mainly cloudy. A few flurries or occasional snow after midnight. Light accumulation. Increasing wind. Low near -5.
GROOMING:
After a rough start the grooming team was able to lay down our first corduroy groom last night up Coal Creek and Morrissey! We also delivered the snowcat to Hartley on Friday in anticipation of grooming start up at that location; please note that there is significant windfall on the Hartley trail and access by snowmobile or skis is incredibly difficult at this time. Crews will be out clearing trees after Christmas - reach out if you would like to lend a hand.
Please see the notes below for area-specific conditions and updates.
Corbin: Groomed from the staging area to the McClatchie yesterday. This marks the first time we have been able to pass the Rain Gauge junction so far this season!
Coal Creek: Not recommended - marginal snow on lower trail and open water. Variable conditions below Paige’s Draw. Above Paige’s the crew was able to lay down a proper groom with the tiller yesterday including upper Coal Creek, Doug Dean, and Summit Trail groomed.
Morrissey: If you are really pushing to get out and ride, Morrissey is your best option at this time. Variable conditions on the lower trail below the canyon. Good conditions above. Yesterday the crew was able to lay down a beautiful corduroy groom on the upper Morrissey an McEvoy Trail. Trail to the Notch was track packed on Sunday.
Hartley: Snowcat was transported from shop to Hartley on Friday. Our tentative first groom is Dec 28th but this will likely be a day of tree falling due to the volume of trees down across the trail.
Ram: Open. No grooming. Note that there is significant damage to the Lodgepole FSR at 31km as well as the Ram FSR around km 40 due to flooding. Repairs underway.
FSA Partner Spotlight
Elk Valley Rentals are southern Saskatchewan grain farmers with a passion for snowmobiling and that is what brought them to Fernie to start a snowmobile rental business. They have two sons who are also avid snowmobilers so our family enjoys the winter months on sleds, whether prairie riding or in the mountains. Elk Valley Rentals Inc will be renting out Skidoo Summits, trailers and avalanche gear.
Learn More: elkvalleyrentals.ca
